Younus feels captaincy affecting his batting

Pakistan skipper Younis Khan conceded that captaincy might be affecting his batting but expressed confidence in his ability to bounce back soon.

Written by Press Trust of India

Read Time: 2 mins

Karachi:

Pakistan skipper Younus Khan on Wednesday conceded that captaincy might be affecting his batting but expressed confidence in his ability to bounce back soon.

Younis has managed just 28 runs in the ongoing five-day one-day series against Australia in Abu Dhabi and Dubai which Pakistan trail 1-2.

The Pakistan skipper, who scored a triple century against Sri Lanka in a Test match soon after moving into the hot seat, admitted he was disappointed not getting enough runs against Australia.

"Maybe the captaincy has affected my batting but it is not something I am not used too. I scored runs as captain before and I can do it again," Younis said on Wednesday.

The skipper said he wants to lead by example. "Specially at a time when our batting is not clicking and I need to set the right example for others."

Younis pointed out that he had got ducks in two innings in the tri-nation tournament in Dhaka last year but then bounced back with a hundred against India.

"I am concerned because I am expected to get runs as a senior player," he said.

Younus also made it clear he had no intentions of dropping senior batsmen Misbah-ul Haq or Shoaib Malik because they were struggling for form.

"You can't drop someone as experienced as these two just because they have struggled a bit. And if I was to drop Misbah the media will say he has dropped the vice-captain. If I drop Malik the media would say I dropped the former captain," Younus said.

He felt lack of international exposure was affecting the team and hoped his batsmen to strike form.

"Our batting has struggled in the first three matches and that is because we have played little cricket against top sides in the last two years. So it does make a difference but we will bounce back. I have said before if our batting clicks we can beat Australia," said Younus.

He, however, told his batsmen to pull up their socks. "The batsmen including myself need to show more application and responsibility."

Younus also defended off-spinner Saeed Ajmal who has been reported for suspect bowling action.

The youngster was also fined on Wednesday by the Pakistan team management for issuing a statement without permission.

Younus said he was confident Ajmal's "doosra" delivery would be cleared when he undergoes biomechanic tests soon.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has said it was planning to approach Australian biomechanic expert Dr Bruce Elliot to evaluate Ajmal's action.

Elliot had earlier worked with Shoaib Akhtar, Malik and Shabbir Ahmed.